The Long Beach community honored and celebrated the life and legacy of former Mayor Bob Foster – sharing memories, stories and laughter. Many shared how Foster had positively impacted their lives in his special way of being both tough and kind.
Hundreds of people gathered on Thursday afternoon, Feb. 19, in the Pacific Ballroom at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center for Foster’s celebration of life. Family, friends, local elected officials, city leaders and community members all came together to give condolences to the Foster family and also honor a person who made a significant impact in Long Beach and beyond.
Foster died on Nov. 30 after accidentally falling out of bed and hitting his head, causing bleeding in his brain. He was 78. Foster had been dealing with a variety of health issues, including chronic myeloid leukemia and back problems.
Speakers during the celebration of life highlighted many of Foster’s accomplishments throughout his career, from laying carpets to serving as president for Southern California Edison to being elected the 27th mayor of Long Beach. He was also a clean energy leader for the state, a community leader, mentor, father, grandfather and friend.
From left, Becki Ames and Lori Ann Farrell speak during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mike Roos speaks during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
President and CEO of Visit Long Beach Steve Goodling speaks during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
CEO and President of Edison International Pedro Pizarro speaks during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
President and CEO of Visit Long Beach Steve Goodling speaks during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
From left, Becki Ames and Lori Ann Farrell speak during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Mayor Rex Richardson speaks during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
President and CEO of Visit Long Beach Steve Goodling speaks during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
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From left, Becki Ames and Lori Ann Farrell speak during former Mayor Bob Foster’s celebration of life at the Pacific Ballroom in Long Beach on Thursday, February 19, 2026. (Photo by Drew A. Kelley, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
Robert “Bob” Foster was born on Jan. 1, 1947, and raised in Brooklyn, New York. His family moved to California and owned a carpet company, where Foster learned how to lay carpets, which helped him pay his way through San Jose State University — and also where he met his wife of 57 years, Nancy.
In the late 1970s, Foster became deputy executive director of the California Energy Commission, helping develop legislation that created statewide energy efficiency standards. He joined SCE in 1984 as head of the company’s Sacramento office, and eventually became president in 2002. Under his leadership, SCE developed the largest renewable, clean energy programs in the country, according to a company statement.
As mayor of Long Beach from 2006 to 2014, he guided the city through the 2008 financial crisis and helped Long Beach navigate rapidly rising pension costs, according to a city statement. His commitment to fiscal responsibility and pension reform, which was instrumental in stabilizing the city’s financial landscape and eventually led to the city achieving a budget surplus for the first time in decades.
His vision and work also led to the creation of the new Civic Center and the Billie Jean King Main Library in downtown. Long Beach honored that legacy by naming the new council chambers the Bob Foster Civic Chambers.
“Long Beach, you hit the mayoral lottery the day you elected my father,” said his son Kenneth Foster, “and I had the dad lottery the day I was born. I love you, Dad. I’m forever proud of the man you are. Thank you for being a pleasant surprise and for being the best dad that one could hope for.”
The younger Foster thanked everyone in attendance on Thursday and the Long Beach community for its support to the entire family during their loss. He also told jokes and stories about his father, and how much the elder Foster cared for himself and his late brother, James, and three grandchildren – Taylor Marie, Bobby and Ryan.
“It took me a while to fully appreciate that my life and many others would be on a drastically different path had he not worked tirelessly every day for a better future for all,” Bobby Foster said about his grandfather, whom he endearingly called papa. “He was a selfless leader who lived by old values, not for glory or for power, but for the good of the city, his home and the generations to come.”
Other speakers during the celebration included Steve Goodling, president and CEO of Visit Long Beach; former state Assemblymember Mike Roos; and Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International.
“Bob was a force of nature in our industry,” Pizarro said, “and he helped pioneer energy efficiency standards and conservation policies and his work at the California State Senate Energy Committee and California Energy Commission, which he helped create.”
Pizarro shared the story of the first time he met Foster, and described him as a “self-assured guy with a booming voice.” He also shared how caring and compassionate Foster was, and how he liked to laugh with his coworkers and friends.
“Bob was this fascinating guy who started his career in laying carpet, who really was a mover of California energy policy, who cared deeply about people, who found humor all around him and who touched all of us,” Pizarro said, “and I owe so much to his coaching, to his mentorship, to his friendship.”
Long Beach leaders also shared their personal stories about Foster, including Mayor Rex Richardson; Rep. Robert Garcia, who preceded Richardson as mayor; Becki Ames, Foster’s chief of staff when he was mayor; and Lorie Ann Farrell, former Long Beach controller, chief financial officer and harbor commissioner.
“He empowered all those people around him,” said Garcia, who succeeded Foster as mayor before eventually being elected to Congress. “It wasn’t just the amazing work he did for us, but he always looked to pass the baton to others. I’ll always be infinitely grateful for that.”
Many shared the lasting impact Foster will continue to have in Long Beach. Foster and his wife, Nancy, for example, launched the James Foster Mental Health Assistance Fund, which expands access to mental health care for children and families. They also supported countless other nonprofits and charities across the city.
Speakers also shared that Foster loved reading, telling jokes, playing golf, listening to music, the San Francisco Giants, Roman history, his cat — and, of course, Long Beach.
“Just like so many of you here, we worked very closely with Bob, and we loved him very, very much,” Farrell said. “He was a force of nature, as many people have mentioned, but he was also a man of many dimensions and many different layers.”